STAND. COM. REP. NO. 278-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 2400

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Labor & Government Operations and Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 2400 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require that licensed teachers have their license revoked by the Hawaii Teachers Standards Board if the teacher resigned or retired during the pendency of any investigation into allegations of sexual assault, sexual harassment, or other physical abuse of a student.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Hawaiʻi Teacher Standards Board.

Your Committees find that some teachers facing serious allegations, such as sexual harassment of a student, exploit the existing education system by resigning or retiring before they can be formally terminated after a completed investigation. This practice not only obstructs the pursuit of justice but also allows these teachers to potentially continue their careers in other states or at private schools without any consequences. This measure requires that teachers who have resigned or retired in lieu of termination during the pendency of a severe investigation have their teaching license revoked, which promotes accountability within the education system and protects students from potential harm.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Labor & Government Operations and Education that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2400, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2400, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Labor & Government Operations and Education,

____________________________ JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair

____________________________ SCOT Z. MATAYOSHI, Chair